What is CPC (Cost Per Click)?
Definition
The price an advertiser pays for each click on a paid ad. CPC varies widely by industry, keyword competitiveness, and platform. Tracking CPC alongside conversion rate reveals the true cost of acquiring each lead.
Related Terms
An advertising model where the advertiser pays a fee each time someone clicks their ad. Google Ads and Meta Ads are the two largest PPC platforms, and campaign success is measured by CPC, CTR, and ROAS.
The cost an advertiser pays per 1,000 ad impressions. CPM is commonly used for brand-awareness campaigns where the goal is exposure rather than immediate clicks or conversions.
The average cost of converting a prospect into a paying customer, including marketing spend, sales salaries, and tooling. Lowering CAC while maintaining quality leads is a constant SaaS challenge.